Manual
LW20 / SF20 LiDAR sensor
Product manual
Used on autonomous vehicles, the LW20 can be a forwards looking obstacle sensor or can be used to create “SLAM” maps to aid in
navigation.
Figure 3 :: Autonomous vehicle navigation
What’s your application?
3. What are the main characteristics of the LW20?
There are two models available, the LW20 and the SF20. The LW20 is a sealed unit suitable for
outdoor applications. It can easily be added onto existing products.
The SF20 is an open unit suitable for clean and dry applications or as an OEM component that is
built-in as standard equipment.
The LW20 housing measures 20 mm x 30 mm x 35 mm.
The SF20 assembly measures 20 mm x 30 mm x 32 mm.
The LW20 is waterproof to IP67 standard. It can be submerged in water to a depth of 1 meter
for 15 minutes and is protected against dust ingress.
Please note that the SF20 is not waterproof.
The LW20 weighs less than 20 grams (excluding cables). This makes it ideal for applications
where the low weight and small size are important.
The open frame SF20 weighs less than 10 grams. Use this module when low mass is the defining
specification.
The power supply, communications and servo driver signals are connected to the LW20 / SF20
using the built-in cable.
The cable has a shield that should be earthed to reduce electrical interference.
The power supply voltage must be between 4.5 V and 5.5 V and the LW20 draws about 130 mA
while measuring.
It is good practice to make sure that the power supply is able to deliver more current than
need and to make sure that the voltage is stable and clean from spikes.
The LW20 has a maximum measuring range of 100 meters with a resolution of 1 centimeter.
The accuracy of each measurement is ±10 centimeter.
New measurements are updated at a preset rate from a slowest of 48 readings per second to a
maximum of 388 readings per second.
The slower speed measurements give better measuring range and are useful for laser
altimeters or static distance measurements. The faster speed measurements are better for
scanning applications when the LW20 is attached to a servo.
The LW20 uses a laser to take time-of-flight measurements. The laser is rated Class 1M. Do not
view the laser with magnifying optics such as microscopes and telescopes.
SF20
LW20
LW20 / SF20 LiDAR - Product manual - Revision 9 | of | © LightWare Optoelectronics (Pty) Ltd, 2018 | www.lightware.co.za 5 28